Closure devices for containers, jars and the like



Jan. 10, 1967 w. c. THIESEN 3,297,187

CLOSURE DEVICES FOR CONTAINERS, JARS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

WILL/A M OTH/ESE/V HPE EI.

Jan. 10, 1967 w. c. THIESEN CLOSURE DEVICES FOR CONTAINERS, JARS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov; 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. W/LL/AM C. TH/ESE/V I 'III'II Lin/ United States Patent 3,297,187 CLOSURE DEVICES FOR CONTAINERS, JARS AND THE LIKE William C. Thiesen, 3 N. Meyer Court, Des Plaines, Ill. 60016 Filed Nov. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 408,177

21 Claims. (Cl. 215-43) The present invention relates to improved closure devices for containers, jars, bottles and the like.

Such devices have been known, which were so constructed that, once they were opened, could not be used again because the original form was destroyed by the act of opening.

Another deficiency of existing closure devices is to be seen in frequent occurrences of injuries to fingers or hands of the person opening containers and the like. This is caused by the fact that containers have to be opened and closed with the aid of can openers, kitchen knives or other metal tools.

A further shortcoming of existing closure devices is the fact that they are not capable of coping with high pressures prevailing within the container.

It is an object of the invention to overcome these deficiencies by providing a new type of closure device that is made of elastic plastic material such as polyethylene and can be used again after each opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure device containing within itself the opening and locking means, thus eliminating the need for separate tools to open and close the container and the danger of injuries.

A further object of the invention is to provide a closure device of a construction which will be capable of resisting high pressures within the container.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevational view of one form of my invention comprising a ring-on-cap closure device;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded sectional elevational view of another form of my invention and employing a capon-ring combination;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded sectional elevational view of a cap-on-cap arrangement;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of a ringon-cap combination as per FIGURE 1, employing an outside lock;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmented sectional view of a part of the closure device as shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a closure device employing a knuckle type lock;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded view in section of a ringon-cap combination with a twist lock;

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate front and side elevational views of an outside hinge type lock on a closure device;

FIGURE 10 is an perspective view of a hal-f-ring-halfcap structure with an outside lock;

FIGURE 11 is an exploded view of a ring-in-cap combination illustrating details of an inside lock;

FIGURE 12 illustrates an elevational sectional view of the closure device shown in FIGURE 11 taken along 3,297,187 Patented Jan. 10, 1967 structural detail of locking the plastic cap to plastic containers; and

FIGURE 17 is a sectional view of a plastic coupling for connecting plastic pipes.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, 1 represents a container made of glass, metal or other material intended for storing liquids, foods, chemicals or other substances.

The upper portion of container 1 is substantially of cylindrical shape and is provided with a bead 9 adjacent the rim of its open end which cooperates with a closure device constructed according to the invention as described hereunder.

In FIGURE 1 such closure device comprises a cap 2 made of elastic plastic material, preferably polyethylene sized to fit over and about said upper portion of the container 1. The cap comprises a top cover 6 having a depending circumferential flange 7 provided with an inner surface 33 which snugly engages the outer surface 32 of said end of the container, when properly placed thereover. At the upper end of said inner surface 33 of flange 7 an annular recess :8 is shaped to receive said previously described bead 9 of container 1.

The diameter of the inner surface 33 of flange 7 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter 32 of said upper portion of container 1. Similarly, the recess 8 of cap 2 is slightly smaller in diameter than bead 9. Consequently, since the material of cap 2 is flexible and yieldable the cap, upon being put over the open'container end, can be manually pushed down to provide a very tight fit between its flange 7 and the neck of the container.

Flange 7 of cap 2 is purposely axially relatively long to provide a relatively large bearing contact area between cap 2 and the container neck 32, to accomplish the assembly.

The tight fit and the large contact area assure a closure of suflicient strength to withstand normal pressure Within the container.

However, to complete the assembly, I also propose to provide a retaining member in the form of a ring 3 which is placed over cap 2 so as to resist its removal. Ring 3 has an internal diameter slightly less than the external diameter of cap 2 so that it exerts a certain degree of compression on cap 2 and thereby assures that cap 2 is always kept in its place over container 1 as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Ring 3 has approximately the same axial length as that of cap 2 and is to be preferred over a ring having only a small axial extent such as a wire ring since the total compressing force which the ring 3 is able to exert on the cap is therefor a function of the contact area between cap and retaining ring.

In addition, since one of the objectives of the invention, as noted above, also is the complete elimination of tools for opening and closing of containers and the provision of a closure device that can readily be handled even by women and children the invention also utilizes a tapered engagement between ring and cap, i.e. in the embodiment of FIGURE 1, the outer circumferential surface of cap 2 is tapered as is the inner surface 5 of ring 3. For this type of engagement no large initial force is required in order to push the ring over the cap.

Thus as seen in FIGURE 5 which is a fragmented sectional view of a part of the closure device as shown in FIGURE 1, the internal diameter at the bottom of ring 3 as measured from point 43 is larger than the external diameter on top of cap 2 as measured from point 44.

In addition I provide said contacting surfaces of the ring and cap with correspondingly spaced equidimensioned annular grooves 10 and ridges 11 which resist movement of the ring off its engagement with the tapered outer surface of the cap once it has been assembled thereover. However at the same time it will be recognized that the tapered shape of the contacting surfaces facilitates easy assembly and separation with a minimum of externally exerted force. For this purpose, as shown the grooves and ridges are arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of the cap or the ring. The grooves may appear in cross section like a wave form of semicircular, angular or like shape. FIGURE 5 illustrates grooves and ridges of semicircular cross sectional shape.

By pushing down, by hand, gradually ring 3 on cap 2 the compression executed by ring on cap increases only gradually permitting sliding movement over the ridges until the ring has been located in place and until the desired retaining force is obtained. The extent of the retaining force is therefore in the control of the person, closing the container.

A further advantage in employing tapered surfaces is that the natural adhesion which occurs between those surfaces, further improves the sealing effect.

An additional element of friction is provided by qualities inherent in plastic material, a feature which is analogous to the use of rubber on rubber.

It will thus be seen that the sealing and locking effects by a tight fit between container end and cap flange on one hand and by an engagement along tapered surfaces and grooves and ridges between cap and ring on the other, are great enough to cope with high pressures prevailing within the container.

Another feature of the invention is that the top membrane 6 of cap 2 may be either of planar or concave shape the latter being illustrated in FIGURE 1. The advantages offered by this construction are: First the membrane, on account of its elastic nature, is capable of absorbing light pressures prevailing within the container.

Second, in the event that such pressures are indicative of a bad state of the contents such as withered vegetables, the customer can readily detect it.

A further feature of the invention is that the cap may be made of transparent material. This again will enable an easy investigation of the contents.

FIGURE 2 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the respective positions of cap and ring are reversed, e.g.: in FIGURE 1 the ring is mounted on the cap, while in the embodiment of FIGURE 2 the cap is mounted over the ring.

The same corresponding parts shown in various embodiments have been designated with the same numerals but, for identification purposes, have been given different indicia such as a, b, 0, so that for example in FIGURE 2 the ring is 3a as compared with 3 in FIGURE 1.

In more detail now, ring 3a has an inner cylindrical surface of a slightly smaller diameter than that of the container neck. Just below its top, ring 3a is provided with a recess 8a capable of cooperating with bead 9a of the container, similar to that of the closure device in FIGURE 1.

Ring 3a has an exterior tapered surface consisting of an upper smooth portion 14a and a lower portion 11a provided with parallel grooves of the type previously described for the device in FIGURE 1.

Cap 2:: has a top cover 6a and a depending flange 7a which has an inner tapered surface consisting of an upper smooth portion 13a and a lower portion 1011 with parallel grooves corresponding to those of ring 3a. The outer surface of cap 2a may be either cylindrical or conical, the latter being shown in FIGURE 2.

In order to close the container, ring 3:: is telescoped over the end of container 1a so that head 9a of the container is received and retained in recess 8a of ring 3a, analogous to the bead and recess arrangement previously described for the closure device in FIGURE 1.

Thereupon cap 2a is placed over ring 3a and pushed down until the smooth tapered surface portion 13a of the cap 20 engages snugly the corresponding smooth tapered surface portion 14a of the ring 3a and the parallel grooves portion 10a of cap 2a grips tightly the parallel ridges portion 11a of the ring 3a. The final result is a sealing effect between the smooth portions 13a, 14a and a locking effect between the portions of parallel grooves and ridges 10a, 11a.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 3. Here, the closure device consists of a capon-cap combination.

In this embodiment a first cap 2b has a membrane 6b of concave shape and an extending perpendicularly disposed flange 7b. A second cap 3b, has, a membrane 66b of convex shape and an extending perpendicularly disposed fiange 77b, having an exterior surface 34 which is provided with an annular groove or recess 8b adjacent to its upper end.

A container 1b is provided with an annular bead 9b on its top portion adjacent to its upper end adapted to cooperate with annular recess 8b of lower cap 3b.

In order to close the container, the lower cap 3b is mounted over the open end thereof until recess 8b engages bead 9b of the container. The upper cap 2b is next pushed into the lower cap 3b, causing the outer surface 34 thereof to be forced outwardly to snugly tightly fit with the inside of the container neck, and thereby as sure an intimate seal.

An additional locking effect is obtained between the tapered surfaces 4b and 5b of the upper and lower caps, both being provided with parallel grooves and ridges respectively as described herebefore.

The embodiments described so far were based on locking and sealing effects obtained by engagement-s between tapered and grooved surfaces of two members of the closure device.

The embodiments to be described now, have, in addition, a locking device either formed or secured to the closure device, as an integral part thereof. The locking device may be arranged internally or externally thereof and not only facilitates assembly of the two parts of the closure device but is designed to cope with still higher pressures prevailing within the container, jar and the like.

The additional locking device will also assure an effective locking capable of withstanding rough transportation conditions.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a closure device based on a ringon-cap combination as per FIGURE 1, and provided with means for locking and unlocking the closure device Without the use of any foreign tools.

Ring 30 is not continuous but has a gap 120. At one side 190 of this gap a relatively long integral tongue is provided, overlapping the ring portion 18c on the other side of the gap. Ring portion 180 as well as the tongue are provided with teeth 16c and 17c.

In order to use, tongue 15c is pulled to the left to close gap 120 and the teeth portions 16c and of ring and tongue are brought into meshing engagement. The ring 30 is thereby locked. It is now in condition to be mounted over the cap as described heretofore for FIGURE 1.

For unlocking the ring 3c, tongue 15c is pulled open.

The relatively great length of tongue 15c assures that locking and unlocking of the locking device can be performed with ease e.g. with exertion of a minimum amount of power.

FIGURE 6 illustrates an embodiment similar in nature to the preceding one, but the locking effect is obtained here by a different arrangement i.e. by means of a knuckletype structure.

Ring 3d also has a gap 12d. However, in this form of the invention, the two ring ends 18d and 19d are connected by a bridge structure 63 which extends outwardly into a tongue or lever 24d. Lever 24d is adapted to journal around ring end 18d serving as a fulcrum point.

The ring 3d, as shown in FIGURE 6 is in its closed position leaving a small gap 12d.

In order to open ring 3d, lever 24d is moved in a counter-clockwise direction causing ring end 19d to recede enlarging thereby the radius of ring 3d and gap 12d to widen. Thus, the grip lock of ring 3d around cap 2d is loosened and the cap can be removed from the container.

When the ring is to be closed about the cap the lever 24d, being in open position, is moved in clockwise direction forcing ring end 19d to approach ring end 18d, until gap 12d has reached a minimum value diminishing thereby the radius of ring 3d.

Visualizing an imaginary plane formed by connecting the centers of the ring ends 18d and 19d, the knuckle locking efiect is achieved the moment lever 24d or rather its center of gravity crosses said imaginary plane.

The knuckle effect is cancelled the moment lever 24d or its center of gravity crosses said imaginary plane in the opposite direction e.g. in counter-clockwise direction.

FIGURE 7 shows another embodiment of the invention employing a locking device based on a twist lock. Ring 3e is, provided with four slots 16a slanted at a small angle to the horizontal and cap 2e has four pins e. The exterior surface of cap 2e as well as the interior surface of ring 32 are similarly tapered, but unlike the previously described embodiments are provided with serrations axially directed or parallel grooves and ridges 22c and 23s running from top to bottom of cap and ring.

To assemble, ring Se is placed over cap 2e so that each slot 162 receives at its lower end a pin 15:: and by turning ring 32, the pins in the slots force the ring down into compression, the locked position being'maintained by the interengaged vertical serrations 22e, 23a on ring and cap respectively.

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment wherein the ring-on-cap closure device as shown in FIGURE 1 is provided with a cam lock.

The ring-on-cap device itself is identical with that in FIGURE 1 in all features such as the engagement between cap and ring which is done by means of tapered surfaces, parallel grooves and ridges thereon as previously described in detail.

However, in addition ring 3 is provided with two diametrically opposed vertical gaps 12f (one not shown) in its flange 7 reaching from the bottom to a point near the top thereof. An L-shaped lever 24 is arranged to journal around pin In order to close gaps 12) and lock cap 2 lever 24] is pushed down, thus forcing, by means of protrusion pin 26 to the left. Lever 24 is relatively long to facilitate easy closing and opening. To open the closure device, lever 24] is lifted, whereby protrusion 35] releases 26 FIGURE 10 shows a structure employing a cap and a half-ring combination. Half-ring 3g has two opposed dove tail shaped ends 36g which interfit with similarly shaped recesses 37g and has a handle 24g which is adapted to be raised and lowered, the ends being journalled in said recesses 37g. Cap and half-ring are provided with parallel grooves 22g and ridges 23g (not shown) analogous to those described in preceding arrangements. The cap has two diametrically opposed gaps 12g, which are closed when handle 24g is turned down. The locking position is secured by the engagement of parallel grooves 22g and 23g. The closure device may be made of one to two parts.

The locking devices described thus far are of the external type e.g. they are arranged on the outside circumferential surface of the cap or the ring of the closure devices. The embodiments now to be described have locking devices arranged Within the ring or the cap of the closure devices.

FIGURES l1 and 12 show an embodiment comprising a lock within the ring of a ring-in-cap closure device used with a container having an annular bead 9h adjacent to its open end. In this embodiment cap 2h, has a membrane 6h at the bottom thereof and an upright flange 7h perpendicular to said membrane, said flange having an annular recess 8h below its upper end and on the other side thereof cap 2h is inserted first into the open mouth or neck of said container until its said annular recess 8h engages about said bead 9h. The external diameter of cap 2h being slightly larger than the internal diameter of container 1h, a tight fit between container and cap is secured.

The cap 211 has an inner tapered surface 4h that is also provided with grooves 10h arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of cap 2h as in the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

The embodiment of FIGURES l1 and 12 also comprises a ring 3h which has a tapered outer surface 5h, being provided with parallel ridges 11h arranged to mate with the parallel grooves 10h of the cap 2h.

The corresponding dimensions of the ring being slightly larger than those of the cap, the tapered surfaces and parallel grooves and ridges 10h and 1111 on cap and ring assure a tight fit between cap and ring once the ring has been pressed into the cap.

This embodiment further includes an internal lock within the ring 311. For this purpose the wall of the ring 3h also includes a vertical gap 12h which extends from the top of the wall to a point adjacent the bottom thereof and secured to said ring on opposite sides of the gap are two tongues 2612 and 27h each having a dove tail shaped end arranged within similarly shaped vertical recesses 25k and 28h in the wall of ring 3h on each side of gap 12h.

Tongues 26h and 27h are integrally formed, being connected with one another by means of a bridge structure 30h forming a pocket 31h and include an outwardly extending lever portion 24h provided with a rounded end 32h.

FIGURE 11 shows the embodiment with the lock in closed position wherein gap 12h is open and the major portion of lever 24h is parallel to the wall of ring 3h.

In order to open the lock lever 24h is moved by placing ones finger at the inside of a rounded end 32h and pulling in a clockwise direction and away from the ring wall, causing first pocket 31h to be closed, then, with tongue 27h serving as a fulcrum, pushing tongue 26h to the right so that gap 12h is narrowed to a minimum.

Once the gap is sufficiently narrowed down the expanding tightening force exerted by the ring on the cap is released and the cap can now be removed to open the container.

FIGURE 13 illustrates an alternate construction of the ring 3h to that shown in FIGURE 11. In this embodiment ring 3k has a vertical gap 12k running from the top of the ring to a point adjacent to the bottom thereof. A portion of the internal surface of the ring 3k adjacent to the left side of gap 12k is provided with teeth 16k. On the other side of gap 12k, a vertical dove tail shaped recess 26k in the wall of ring 3k contains a similarly shaped tongue 25k which extends into a lever 24k running parallel along the Wall of ring 3k. A portion of lever 24k is provided with teeth 17k adapted to mesh with teeth 16k of the ring 3k.

In the closed position of the ring 3k teeth portions 16k and 17k are engaged in one another keeping gap 12k open and causing ring 3k to exert an expanding force on the cap (not shown).

When the ring is to be opened, lever 24k is moved in clockwise direction, causing teeth portions 16k and 17k to disengage and gap 12k to narrow so that the expanding force between ring and cap is released,the ring can now be removed and the cap can be opened.

It goes without saying that all the external and internal locks with horizontal or vertical locking means as shown herein before, and the like may be combined with any one of the closure structures as described above e.g. ringon-cap, cap-on-ring, cap-ou-cap devices and the like.

In FIGURES 14 and 15 the concept of sealing and locking devices of elastic plastic material using tapered circumferential surfaces that are, at least in part, provided with parallel grooves and ridges is illustrated in its application to containers and pipes made of plastic material. In this form of the invention the end of the pipe is shaped to constitute one of the aforedescribed cap and ring so as to obtain the desired locking and sealing effect.

Thus in FIGURE 14 lm is a plastic container or pipe. 2m in an external cap lock for closing the upper open end of pipe 1m. The lower open end of pipe 1m is to be closed by a cap structure as illustrated by 42m.

The upper cap 2m has a flange 7111, the inner surface of which is tapered and partially provided with parallel grooves as described in preceding embodiments.

The outer surface of the upper open end of container 1m is likewise tapered and provided with parallel ridges corresponding to the parallel grooves as described heretofore and in this respect corresponds to the previously described ring of FIGURE 1.

Upon placing cap 2m on the top of container Im, the sealing effect is obtained by a tight fit between the smooth tapered portions 13m and 14m and the locking effect is obtained by a tight fit between parallel grooves and ridges 10, and 11m respectively.

Unlike upper cap 2m, lower cap 42m has two upright flanges, an inner flange 67m and an outer flange 77m. While in all embodiments, thus far described, the two features consisting of a tapered surface and parallel grooves were arranged on one conus-surface, cap 42m shows them in two separate surfaces e.g. the smooth tapered portion is arranged on exterior surface 38m of first flange 67m and the parallel grooves are arranged on the interior surface of the second flange 42m.

The lower open end of container 1m is formed by an inner tapered surface 38m and an outer tapered surface 39m which is provided with parallel grooves as described in preceding embodiments.

In pushing container 1m into lower cap 42m, the sealing is achieved by a tight fit between the tapered smooth surfaces 37m and 38m of container and cap respectively and the locking is accomplished by the engagement between parallel grooves and ridges 39m and 40m as described heretofore.

FIGURE 15 shows an alternate structure of an elastic plastic cap to be used for sealing and locking a container 1n made of plastic material.

Unlike the cap shown in FIGURE 14 this is an internal cap. However the inner surfaces of the upper and lower end portions of the container 1n are tapered and partially provided with parallel grooves 11n, as previously described so that functionally they operate similarly to element 3b of FIGURE 3.

The upper cap 2n has a membrane 6n and a circumferen-tial flange 7n perpendicularly disposed. Flange 7n has an exterior tapered surface, which, in its upper portion, is provided with parallel ridges 1011, as described heretofore, having a smooth tapered portion 1321 at the bottom.

In pushing cap 2n into the upper open end of the container 1n, the sealing and locking is eflected by the engagement between the smooth portions 1321 and 1411 and parallel grooves and ridges 1011 and 1112 of cap and container respectively.

The lower cap 7211 is of the same construction as that of upper cap 211 except that upper cap 211 is provided with a rib 45 for reinforcement purposes.

FIGURE 16 shows still another modification of a plastic cap lock for closing a plastic container.

Container 10 has two separate tapered surfaces 110 and 140. The former is provided with parallel grooves as previously described in other embodiments, the latter is smooth.

Cap 20, likewise, has two separate tapered surfaces 100, and 130 respectively, the latter being provided with parallel ridges, as described heretofore.

Sealing and locking is accomplished by the engagement of the smooth surfaces 130 and 140 and the parallel grooves and ridges and of cape and container respectively.

Needless to say that for the closure devices as illustrated in FIGURES 14, 15, 16, additional locking effects may be obtained by the use of either internal or external locks, as provided in the embodiments described above, as the case may call for.

FIGURE 17 illustrates a plastic coupling device to connect two plastic pipes (one pipe not shown).

Here again, the concept of tapered surfaces partly provided with parallel grooves and ridges is applied.

Sealing is effected by a tight fit between tapered surfaces 13p of plastic pipe 39 and 14p of coupling 3p.

Locking is secured by engagement of parallel grooves 10p and ridges 11p of pipe and coupling.

A second pipe (not shown) to be connected to coupling 3p on its right side end is precisely of the same construction as that of pipe 39.

The coupling may be provided with any one of the types of external locks, as described heretofore.

A circumferential groove 46 in the center of coupling enhances the flexibility thereof and facilitates the connection of two pipes which are not aligned but have a certain angle to one another.

The embodiments of my invention herein shown and described are for illustrative purposes only.

I claim:

1. An elastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular bead portion adjacent to the open end thereof and a circumferential wall below said annular surface portion, said closure device comprising a first member having an annular groove portion below its upper end adapted to mate with said annular bead portion of the container, said first member also having an annular portion of predetermined axial extent below said annular grooved portion, adapted to fit snugly with the circumferential wall of the container below its said annular surface portion, a second member adapted to retain the first member in position, said second member having an annular portion of predetermined axial extent, said first member having a tapered exterior surface, said second member having a tapered interior surface of larger cross section, both said tapered surfaces having spaced parallel ridges disposed perpendicular to the axis of said members and being adapted to interfit between the ridges of the other when the second member is assembled with the first memher.

2. A closure device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure device is made of transparent material.

3. The combination of a device such as a container, jar and the like having an encircling bead portion adjacent to the open end thereof and a circumferential cylindrical wall below said annular surface portion, and an elastic closure device for tightly enclosing said open end comprising a first member having an annular groove portion below its upper end adapted to mate with said annular head portion of the container, said first member also having an annular cylindrical portion of predetermined axial extent below said annular surface portion, adapted to fit snugly with the circumferential cylindrical wall of the container below its said annular bead portion, said closure device comprising a second member adapted to retain the first member in position, said second member having an annular portion of predetermined axial extent said first member having a tapered exterior surface, said second member having a tapered interior surface, both said tapered surfaces being adapted to engage one another, the tapered exterior surface of said first member being, at least, in part, provided with spaced grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said first member and the tapered interior surface of said second member being, at least in part, provided with spaced ridges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said second member, said grooves and ridges being adapted to mate with one another.

4. An elastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular head at the open end and a substantially cylindrical wall below said head, said closure device comprising a cap structure, having a cover on the top and a depending circumferential flange below said cover, the inner surface of said flange having an annular recess below said cover adapted to receive the bead of said container, said flange having a substantially cylindrical inner surface below said recess adapted to make tight contact with the wall portion of said container beneath said head, said depending flange having a tapered exterior circumferential surface, said closure device also comprising a ring structure having substantially the same axial extent as that of said cap structure and a tapered inner circumferential surface adapted to fit tightly with the tapered exterior surface of said cap flange, said tapered interior surface of the ring and tapered interior surface of the cap flange having spaced parallel circumferentially extending ridges and intervening grooves.

5. An elastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular bead at their open end and a substantially cylindrical Wall below said bead, said closure device comprising a cap structure, having a cover on the top and a depending circumferential flange below said cover, the inner surface of said flange having an annular recess below said cover adapted to receive the bead of said container, said flange having a substantially cylindrical inner surface below said recess adapted to make tight contact with the wall portion of said container beneath said bead, said depending flange having a tapered exterior circumferential surface, said closure device also including a ring structure having substantially the same axial extent as that of said cap structure and a tapered inner circumferential surface adapted to fit tightly with the tapered exterior surface of said cap flange, the exterior surface of said cap being provided with grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said cap, and the interior surface of said ring being provided with ridges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said ring, said grooves and ridges being adapted to mate with one another.

6. The combination of a device such as containers, jars and the ike having an open end, a head at its open end and a substantially cylindrical wall portion below said head, and an elastic closure device for closing said open end comprising a ring structure of predetermined axial extent, said ring having an inner cricumferential surface of substantially cylindrical character, said inner ring surface being provided with an annular recess adjacent to its top, adapted to mate with said head of the container, said inner surface of the ring being adapted to fit snugly around said wall portion of the container below its neck, said ring having a tapered exterior surface, said closure device comprising also a cap structure having a cover at its top and a depending circumferential flange below said cover, said flange having a tapered interior surface adapted to fit tightly around said tapered exterior surface of said ring structure.

7. The combination claimed in claim 6 wherein the exterior surface of said ring is at least in part provided with grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said ring and wherein the interior surface of said cap is at least in part, provided with ridges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said cap, said grooves and ridges being adapted to mate with one another.

8. An elastic plastic closure device adapted to enclose the open end of containers, jars and the like having an internal annular bead adjacent to its open end and a substantially cylindrical Wall portion below said bead, said closure device comprising a first capstructure having a membrane of convex shape and a perpendicularly disposed flange, the exterior surface of said flange being provided with a recess adapted to mate with the head of said container, the interior surface of said flange being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said cap structure, and a second cap structure having a membrane of concave shape and an extending perpendicular disposed flange, the exterior surface of said second flange being provided with a plurality of spaced parallel ridges adapted to mate with the parallel grooves of the interior surface of the flange of said first cap.

9. An elastic plastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular bead at its open end and a substantially cylindrical wall below said bead, said closure device comprising a cap structure having a cover on the top and a depending circumferential flange below said cover, the inner surface of said flange having an annular recess below said cover adapted to receive the head of said container, said flange having a substantially cylindrical inner surface below said recess adapted to make tight contact with the wall portion of said container beneath said bead, said depending flange having a tapered exterior circumferential surface, said closure device also including a ring structure having substantially the same axial extent as that of said cap structure and a tapered inner circumferential surface adapted to fit tightly with the tapered exterior surface of said cap flange, the exterior surface of said cap being provided with a plurality of spaced grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said cap, the interior surface of said ring being provided with a plurality of spaced ridges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said ring said grooves and ridges, being adapted to mate with one another, said ring member being an open ring, one end thereof being extended into a lever structure overlapping the other end of the ring, both ends being provided with teeth adapted to mesh with one another upon the ends being pressed together for closing the ring.

'10. An elastic plastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular bead at its open end and a substantially cylindrical wall below said bead, said closure device comprising a cap structure having a cover on the top and 21 depending circumferential flange below said cover, the inner surface of said flange having an annular recess below said cover adapted to receive the bead of said container, said flange having a substantially cylindrical inner surface below said recess adapted to make tight contact with the wall portion of said container beneath said head, said depending flange having a tapered exterior circumferential surface, said closure device also including a ring structure having substantially the same axial extent as that of said cap structure and a tapered inner circumferential surface adapted to fit tightly with the tapered exterior surface of said cap flange, the exterior surface of said cap being provided with a plurality of grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said cap, the interior surface of said ring being provided with a plurality of ridges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said ring said grooves and ridges being adapted to mate with one another, said ring member being an open ring, the ends thereof being connected by a bridge structure extending into a lever adapted to close and open said ring in a knuckle type manner.

11. An elastic plastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular bead adjacent to the open end thereof and a circumferential wall below said annular head, said closure device comprising a cap structure having a cover on the top thereof and a depending circumferential flange beneath said cover, said flange having an annular recess adapted to receive said bead arranged on the top end portion of said container, said flange having sub stantially an inner surface adapted to embrace tightly the wall surface portion of said container below said bead, said flange having a tapered exterior circumferential surface provided with a plurality of parallel grooves arranged from top to bottom of said surface, said flange being provided with a plurality of pins equally located around its exterior surface, said pins extending outwardly from said flange, the said closure device also comprising a ring member having an inner tapered surface adapted to cooperate with said exterior tapered surface of the cap said inner ring surface being provided with a plurality of ridges from top to bottom thereof, adapted to mate with said grooves of the cap said ring member having a plurality of slots equal to the number of said pins arranged in a slanted manner equally located around the circumference thereof, said slots and pins engaging one another upon said ring being placed over said cap to result in a twist lock action.

12. An elastic plastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular bead at its open end and a substantially cylindrical wall below said bead, said closure device comprising a cap structure, having a cover on the top and a depending circumferential flange below said cover, the inner surface of said flange having an annular recess below said cover adapted to receive the bead of said container, said flange having a substantially cylindrical inner surface below said recess adapted to make tight contact with the wall portion of said container beneath said bead, said depending flange having a tapered exterior circumferential surface, said closure device also comprising a ring structure having substantially the same axial extent as that of said cap structure and a tapered inner circumferential surface adapted to fit tightly with the tapered exterior surface of said cap flange, the exterior surface of said cap being provided with a plurality of grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said cap, and the interior surface of said ring being provided with a plurality of ridges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said ring, said grooves and ridges being adapted to mate with one another, the exterior surface of said ring being provided with two vertical gaps being disposed diametrically opposed to one another, said gaps extending from the bottom of said ring to a point adjacent to the top thereof, two first pins being arranged in said exterior surface of the ring on one side of the gaps adapted to serve as fulcrums for a lever, two second pins arranged on the other side of said gaps, a lever arranged to journal on the first pins around the second pins, said lever having a protrusion being adapted, upon being lowered, to move said second pins towards said first pins thereby closing said gaps.

13. An elastic plastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an anrrular bead on its interior surface adjacent to its open end and a substantially cylindrical wall portion below said an- 1ular bead, said closure device comprising a cap having 1 membrane at the bottom thereof and an upright per- Jendicularly disposed flange, said flange having an annular 'ecess adjacent to the to thereof being adapted to coop- :rate with the annular head of said container and having a :urface portion below said annular recess adapted to fit nugly with the interior surface of said container below :aid bead thereof, the exterior surface of said flange being apered and provided with a plurality of grooves arranged iarallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of aid cap said closure device also comprising a ring having tapered interior surface provided with a plurality of idges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said ring, said ridges being adapted to mate with the grooves of said cap, said ring wall being provided with a vertical gap running from the top to a point adjacent to the bottom of said ring, said ring having two vertical dove tail shaped recesses on each side of said gap, two similarly dove tail shaped tongues being disposed in said vertical recesses, said tongues being connected by a bridge structure extending into a lever, said lever being adapted to open and close said gap and thereby lock and unlock said closure device.

14. An elastic plastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular head on its interior surface adjacent to its open end and a substantially cylindrical wall portion below said annular bead, said closure device comprising a cap having a membrane at the bottom thereof 'and an upright perpendicularly disposed flange, said flange having an annular recess adjacent to the top thereof being adapted to cooperate with the annular head of said container and having an interior surface portion below said annular recess adapted to fit snugly with the interior surface of said container below said head thereof, the exterior surface of said flange being tapered and provided with a plurality of grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said cap said closure device also comprising a ring having a tapered interior surface being provided with a plurality of ridges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said ring, said ridges being adapted to mate with the grooves of said cap, said ring wall being provided with a vertical gap running from the top to a point adjacent to the bottom of said ring, said ring having a vertical dove tail shaped recess on one side of said vertical gap, a similarly dove tail shaped tongue being retained in said recess, said tongue being part of a lever of circular shape a portion being provided with teeth, said ring having a portion provided with similarly shaped teeth being disposed opposite the teeth portion of said lever, said teeth portions being adapted to mesh and thereby keep said ring closed and said gap open, said lever being adapted, by moving in clockwise direction to open the closure device.

15. In combination, an open end device such as a container, jar, pipe and the like, made of elastic plastic material, having an annular surface portion adjacent to the open end thereof, said annular surface portion being tapered and, at least in part provided with a plurality of grooves arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of the container, and an elastic plastic closure device comprising a cap having a flange, said flange being tapered and at least in part provided with a plurality of ridges arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the axis of said cap, both said tapered surfaces being adapted to mate with one another, the grooves and ridges being shaped so as to cooperate snugly with one another.

16. The combination claimed in claim 15 wherein the cap is provided with a lock.

17. The combination of a device such as a container, jar, or pipe having an open end and an annular attachment removably connected to said open end, the device having means at its open end providing a first tapered annular surface, and the attachment having one of its annular surfaces similarly tapered and dimensioned, at least one of said tapered surfaces being resilient so that the tapered surface of said annular attachment may be brought into substantially coextensive snug resilient bearing engagement with said first tapered annular surface, both said tapered annular surfaces further having correspondingly spaced and dimensioned parallel disposed grooves and ridges which interfit when said two tapered surfaces are thus resiliently engaged.

18. A two part elastic plastic closure device adapted for closing the open end of containers and the like, said closure device comprising a pair of separately-constituted,

interfitting ring members, one of said members having an enclosing membrane disposed across the bore thereof, the inner located one of said members having an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the other member, and the mating surfaces of said two members having complementing conical shapes, each including a plurality of parallel spaced ridges and intervening grooves, the other surface of one said members being generally cylindrical in shape and dimensioned to have wide bearing engagement with the wall surface of the container about the open end to which it is applied, the conical shape -of the mating surfaces of said two members facilitating interfitting of the ridges of the other member with the ridges of the one member after it has been applied to the open end of the container so as to urge the cylindrical surface of the one member into resilient stressed engagement with the said wall surface of the container, the interengagement of their parallel spaced ridges and grooves resisting axial separation of the two members so as to retain a tightly sealed closure of the open end of the container when so applied thereto.

19. The combination of a container having an open end and a two-part elastic plastic closure for closing said open end of the container, said closure comprising a pair of separately-constituted, interfitting ring members, one of said members having an enclosing membrane disposed across the bore thereof, the inner located one of said two members having an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the outer located one of said members and their mating surfaces having complementing conical shapes, each including a plurality of parallel spaced ridges and intervening grooves, the other surface of one of said members including a circumferentially extending portion dimensioned to have wide bearing engagement with the wall surface of the container about the open end to which it is applied, the conical shape of the mating surfaces of said two members facilitating interfitting of the other member with the one member after it has been applied to the open end of the container so as to urge said circumferential extending portion of the other surface of the one member into intimately fitting resilient stressed engagement with the said wall surface of the container, the interengagement of their parallel spaced ridges and grooves resisting axial separation of the two members so as to retain a tightly sealed closure of the open end of the container.

20. In combination, an open-end device such as a con tainer, jar, pipe and the like, a closure for sealingly closing said open end, both said closure and at least the open end of the device being of elastic material, said enclosure including a flange having a conical shaped surface engaging a circumferential extending continuous surface portion of said open end of the device, said conical surface of the flange and surface portion of the open end of the device engaged thereby, including a plurality of parallel spaced ridges and intervening grooves disposed generally perpendicular to the axis of the open end of the device, said conical shape of the flange facilitating assembly of the closure with the open end of the device, and the parallel spaced ridges and grooves having interengagement to resist axial separation of the closure flange from the open end of the device and retain a tight seal therewith.

21. An elastic closure device adapted to close the open end of containers, jars and the like having an annular surface portion adjacent to the open end thereof and a circumferential Wall disposed below said annular surface portion, said closure device comprising a cap member having 21 depending flange provided with an annular surface portion adapted to mate with said annular surface portion of the container, said cap member also having an annular portion of predetermined axial extent below said annular surface portion, adapted to fit snugly with the circumferential wall of the container below its said annular surface portion, said cap flange further having two vertical gaps arranged diametrically opposed to one another, said gaps running from the bottom of said flange to a point adjacent to the top thereof, and a second member adapted to retain the first member in position consisting of a half-ring having dove-tail shaped ends which are received within dove-tail shaped recesses provided in the cap flange at diametrically opposite locations, said halfring being adapted to journal up and down on its said end connections with the cap flange to open and close said gaps, the exterior surface of said cap flange having parallel spaced grooves disposed perpendicular to the axis of the closure device, and the interior surface of said half-ring being provided with parallel ridges adapted to mate with the grooves on the exterior surface of said cap, said ridges of the half-ring mating with the grooves on the exterior surface of said cap flange so as to retain the half ring in an adjusted position and tightly secure the cap in place over the open end of the container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,749,566 6/1956 Thomas 215-43 2,764,453 9/1956 Robb et al. 2l5-76 2,814,405 11/1957 Edwards 215-41 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

R, PRESCHQCK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ELASTIC CLOSURE DEVICE ADAPTED TO CLOSE THE OPEN END OF CONTAINERS, JARS AND THE LIKE HAVING AN ANNULAR BEAD PORTION ADJACENT TO THE OPEN END THEREOF AND A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WALL BELOW SAID ANNULAR SURFACE PORTION, SAID CLOSURE DEVICE COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER HAVING AN ANNULAR GROOVE PORTION BELOW ITS UPPER END ADAPTED TO MATE WITH SAID ANNULAR BEAD PORTION OF THE CONTAINER, SAID FIRST MEMBER ALSO HAVING AN ANNULAR PORTION OF PREDETERMINED AXIAL EXTENT BELOW SAID ANNULAR GROOVED PORTION, ADAPTED TO FIT SNUGLY WITH THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WALL OF THE CONTAINER BELOW ITS SAID ANNULAR SURFACE PORTION, A SECOND MEMBER ADAPTED TO RETAIN THE FIRST MEMBER IN POSITION, SAID SECOND MEMBER HAVING AN ANNULAR PORTION OF PREDETERMINED AXIAL EXTENT, SAID FIRST MEMBER HAVING A TAPERED EXTERIOR SURFACE, SAID SECOND MEMBER HAVING A TAPERED INTERIOR SURFACE OF LARGER CROSS SECTION, BOTH SAID TAPERED SURFACES HAVING SPACED PARALLEL RIDGES DISPOSED PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF SAID MEMBERS AND BEING ADAPTED TO INTERFIT BETWEEN THE RIDGES OF THE OTHER WHEN THE SECOND MEMBER IS ASSEMBLED WITH THE FIRST MEMBER. 